Will They Start Laying This Time of Year?

I have 2 BR and 2 EE that are 19 weeks old and I was wondering if they will start laying this time of year or will I have to wait until Spring to see any action? The only thing I'm finding in the nest boxes is poop :(

they will if you put a light in their coop to trick them into thinking the days are longer. Just leave it on a few hours after sunset (I leave mine on until about 9 or 10pm) you don't need to leave it on all the time. If you can put it on a timer so you don't have to remember to turn it on and off.

Budding farmer and stay-at-home mom. Living in Amish country in Western NY. Currently working on refurbishing our 1800's farm house, raising a family, and caring for our menagerie of animals. Formally known as Drk_Wlf.

Budding farmer and stay-at-home mom. Living in Amish country in Western NY. Currently working on refurbishing our 1800's farm house, raising a family, and caring for our menagerie of animals. Formally known as Drk_Wlf.

Depends on a few things. EE usually lay later and BR sooner. Lighting may help but be sure the give them 6-8 hours of dark rest every night. If they are sleeping in the nest boxes I would staple half "curtains" to the nest boxes with 3 inch slits to discourage sleeping up in them (just google image nest box curtains). You should have eggs soon.

Cornish Bantams, Japanese, Game, Frizzled, Cochin Bantam, Polish, Bantam White and Barred Rock...Going to have a mixed spring and it is going to be interesting!!!

Yes, they will lay if they have enough light and arent under a lot of stress.

I have 12 little sweeties I got as 1 day old chicks on mothers day. They have been starting to lay since early October, and I get more eggs every day. I was steady at 3 a day until about a week ago, and sometimes I get 4, sometimes 6. I've got 3 Americaunas, and my very first green egg came yesterday ;) - did I mention its getting below 0 at night?

Have patience. It will happen!

Too many birds to count anymore......where on earth do they all come from??

Yes, mine were all at about laying age, added some extra light, BOOM, egg production was kick started. I have 35 hens and usually get 18-22 eggs a day. 10 of my hens are not laying because they are moulting/ haven't started yet.

I have 4 EE's in total, and only one has started laying!!! She started early, but now I am getting impatient for the others to start!!

Thanks everyone. Then I will wait. I had already added the extra light. I have a timer in the coop that goes on at dusk and off at around 10pm. They shouldn't be under any stress. They have a pretty nice life that includes fresh treats everyday and I clean their run every other day. I wish someone took as good of care of me :)) I shall just be patient, but I didn't know with the sun going down so early, 5:15-5:30pm if it would actually happen in the darkness of autumn or winter?